Chandigarh hosts vintage car rally

Chandigarh, Feb 12 (ANI): A vintage car rally was hosted in Chandigarh on Thursday as a curtain raiser to 'Relio Quick Auto Mall 2010', the largest multicity automobile exhibition in the country.

The rally was flagged off from the Lake Club in the city by famous Punjabi singer-actor Gurdas Mann.

The rally passed through prominent locations in Chandigarh and the adjoining districts of Panchkula and Mohali.

The event was jointly organized by Vintage and Classic Car Club, Chandigarh and Relio Quick.

Through the rally the people of the city got a glimpse of an extensive range of vintage cars ranging from 1936-model Dodge car, Morris 1948, Baby Hindustan 1958, Chevrolet Master 1938 and Humber 1931.

This event is organized with the motive of preserving the old heritage of the country and to educate the young generation about the evolution of the automobile industry.

"Basically we arrange these car rallies to preserve the old beauties, which are the heritage of the country. The awareness about these vintage cars has come very recently. Most of these cars have been destroyed. But whatever cars are left now, we are trying to preserve them by conducting these rallies," said B S Mancko, Founder Secretary of the Vintage and Classic Car Club.

The owners, however, face a hard time in preserving these classics as their parts are not easily available now. But nevertheless they feel a sense of pride in owning the vintage cars.

"If you compare this car it is a beauty. But to maintain them of course is quiet a tough job. When you see these cars they don't have any anti-ABC (Anti-Active-b-Catenin, a substance used in cars) or any power steering. So driving them is a good muscle exercise. But yes, you surely feel a sense of thrill to drive them," said Sherry Burjee, a vintage car owner.

Many of these cars are on special display at the Auto Mall 2010, which is being hosted in Chandigarh from February 12-14. (ANI)